Mar 3 2006
Successful grant applicants from Bolton and Lymm to share £1.8 million of Government support.
Schools in Bolton and Lymm are celebrating today after receiving funding from the DTI's Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme to fit solar energy installations onto their buildings.
Each of the projects will be adding solAar panels that will make valuable savings in energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and, through high visibility, promote awareness of the benefits of the technology in the local community.
Commenting on the latest awards, Malcolm Wicks, minister for energy said: "Generating electricity at a local level from micro-technologies such as solar panels and micro wind turbines has the potential to make a significant contribution to the UK's future energy needs and play a part in our fight against climate change.
"The successful projects I am announcing in the North West today are to be applauded for planning to install solar panels and they will see real benefits from their use, as well as knowing they are doing their bit for the environment. I hope it will encourage others to do the same."
The Valley Community Primary School is a relatively new build school in the heart of Bolton. Opened in 2003, it was custom-made to provide a new base for two schools that have combined and provides facilities for 420 pupils.
As a beacon project, the school's design includes a number of innovative sustainable features such as movement sensitive lighting and a rainwater collection system. Bolton Metro, using Solarcentury are intending to install a 22.68 kWp photovoltaic system at The Valley Primary School, which will be bolt-on and mounted to the roof.
The system will provide 11% of the school's electricity requirements and reduce their yearly carbon dioxide emissions by 6,900 Kg. In addition, the system will play a crucial role as an educational tool to enhance understanding of sustainable issues.
Lymm Grammar School's outdoor centre at T'yn- y-Felin, Anglesey stands in thirty acres of farmland which is owned by the school. The existing T'yn-y-Felin Centre provides users from around the UK with a base from which they are able to explore and appreciate the landscape and wildlife of the surrounding area.
Recent legislation means that the facility is in need of updating and major investment is required. The school has determined that T'yn-y-Felin should be developed with the aim of becoming a 'beacon' of sustainability using environmentally innovative solutions.
The installation of a 10 kWp photovoltaic system by Dulas Ltd that will consist of 60 bolt-on modules mounted on the existing roof structure, will provide an educational facility that is able to clearly demonstrate to and educate students in the principles of sustainable development.
This is the 14th round of grants under the Major PV Demonstration Programme. Since 2002 almost £25 million has been awarded to 236 individual projects. The scheme is due to be completed at the end of March when it will be superseded by the Low Carbon Building Programme.